The Ministry of Health, after receiving information from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the results of the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus strains in positive samples taken in a specialized laboratory abroad, informs that Virus variants were detected in 170 samples. The samples relate to positive cases detected on period March 9 to June 11.
More specifically, the following results emerge from the 170 samples:
- at 158 the B.1.1.7 strain was identified (English strain)
- at 5 strain B.1.617.2 (Indian strain - "Delta" mutation) was detected. The 5 samples identified with the Indian strain relate to incidents sampled on 25 April (1 sample), 20 May (2 samples), 21 May (1 sample) and 26 May (1 sample).
- in 7 samples the strain B.1.525 was identified, which according to the ECDC is placed in the variants of interest and not in the variants of concern such as the British, South African, Brazilian and Indian strain. At present, there is no scientific evidence that this variant causes a more serious disease or increases the contagion, however, the competent bodies internationally are closely monitoring its development.
Although more samples will need to be confirmed to draw safer conclusions, the fact that out of 143 samples taken during the period 3-16 May, 2 identified the Indian mutation (1,4%) and of its 44 samples period 17-30 May, at 4 the Indian mutation was detected (9,1%) shows an increase in the presence of Indian mutation in Cyprus.
The fact of the existence of Indian mutation in the community has already begun to affects epidemiological indicators in our country with increase in cases, but also in hospitalizations, mainly in people under 40 years of age. According to the ECDC, the "Delta" variant is expected to dominate in Europe in the near future, and is ringing the alarm bell for the increase of the spread and the cases of serious disease, especially among young people. The only way to prevent the emergence of new aggressive strains and their spread is the vaccination, with the scientific community noting that in order to achieve the maximum desired vaccine efficacy, the vaccination regimen is completed, by administering both doses in cases of double-dose vaccines.